Directions:
Read each paragraph. Circle the letter of the sentence that best paraphrases the topic sentence.

EXAMPLE:

1In Finland, people greet each other with a firm handshake. 2In France, people use a looser grip. 3In Zambia, handshakes are given with the left hand supporting the right hand. 4In Japan, people bow to one another instead of shaking hands. 5In Thailand, people greet one another by pressing their own two hands together at chest level, as though praying. 6In parts of Latin America, people commonly embrace and kiss when they meet. 7In most Arab countries, men greet one another by saying salaam alaykum, shaking hands, saying kaif halak, and then kissing each other on the cheek. 8Clearly, different cultures have very different kinds of customary greetings.
(Source of information: Sharon S. Brehm et al., Social Psychology, 5th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002, p. 99.)

Paraphrase:

a.

The handshake is the most widely used form of greeting in the world.

b.

When it comes to shaking hands, people of different cultures have different expectations.

c.

People of different cultures use different methods for greeting one another.

d.

Touch is an important type of human expression.

Explanation: In this paragraph, every sentence mentions the type of greeting used in a particular country. However, these greetings are not limited to handshakes alone. The paragraph also mentions bowing, pressing hands together, embracing, and kissing. Therefore, answers a and b are too limited. Answer d, on the other hand, is too broad, for the paragraph focuses only on greetings, not on touching in general. Answer c is the best answer, for it accurately sums up the main point of the paragraph, which is stated in the last sentence. This paragraph discusses the many different ways people of different cultures greet one another.

1.

1If you're searching real estate ads for a house, descriptions like "charming fixer-upper" might lead you to believe that you could be reading about your future dream home. 2However, according to author Lou Manfredini, there's often a very big difference between an advertisement's description of a house and the actual property. 3Manfredini says that in a real estate ad, the phrase "lots of potential" actually means "lots of problems." 4Often, he says, these problems require bulldozers, not just paint, to correct. 5The phrase "priced to sell" is used to make a house seem like a bargain. 6However, bargain prices are obvious, so these words are often used to make an overpriced house merely seem more affordable. 7The phrase "in an up-and-coming neighborhood" can be translated as "in a rough part of town." 8And a "handyman's special" really means that you yourself had better be a trained carpenter, plumber, and electrician. 9If you're not, you're going to pay twice as much to repair the place as you paid to buy it. (Source of information: Lou Manfredini, "Reading Between the Lines," USA Weekend, June 18-20, 2004, p. 12.)

Paraphrase:

a.

If you want to buy a house, ads for real estate are the worst place to begin your search.

b.

Unless you are skilled in home repair, you should probably buy a new home instead of an older home.

c.

A consumer must be very careful of tricky salespeople when buying a home.

d.

Real estate ads often use language that makes properties sound better than they really are.

2.

1The 1980s have been named the "Me Decade" because individuals focused more on personal concerns than on larger social issues. 2During these years, acquiring money became very important to many people. 3In 1974, only 46 percent of college freshmen and high school seniors claimed that becoming "financially successful" was their number one priority. 4In 1986, however, 73 percent of college freshmen said that their first priority was becoming "very well off financially." 5Not surprisingly, young Americans flocked to law schools, medical schools, and business and other postgraduate schools, and the number of doctors, lawyers, and high-paid executives increased. 6Between 1980 and 1987, the circulation of Money magazine jumped from 800,000 to 1.85 million. 7This nationwide focus on personal and financial success led Newsweek to declare 1984 the "Year of the Yuppie," the young, upwardly mobile, urban professional. (Source of information: Carol Berkin et al., Making America, 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003, p. 965.)

Paraphrase:

a.

In the 1980s, young Americans who wanted to make a lot of money became doctors, lawyers, and business executives.

b.

During the 1980s, magazines like Money and Newsweek increased in popularity.

c.

Because Americans focused on personal and financial success in the 1980s, that period has been called the "Me Decade."

d.

During the "Me Decade," Americans ignored social problems and selfishly focused on building their bank accounts.

3.

1In 1975, only about 10 percent of babies were born by C-section, the procedure in which a doctor removes the baby surgically. 2Today, though, at least 25 percent of babies are born by C-section. 3This dramatic increase in the rate can be explained by a number of factors. 4First of all, many parents want to avoid the trauma and serious risks of natural childbirth. 5During difficult deliveries, the baby can suffocate or suffer brain damage in the birth canal, and mothers can experience severe tearing that can cause medical problems and require a long, painful recovery. 6Secondly, modern mothers with careers or other obligations like the convenience of being able to plan the baby's birth to accommodate a busy schedule. 7Third, soaring medical malpractice premiums have made doctors far less willing to take even the slightest risk with natural childbirth. 8They would rather deliver the baby via C-section than face a possible lawsuit when complications cause injuries to the mother or the infant. 9Commercial managed care corporations, too, have contributed to the growing rate of C-sections. 10They have sought to cut costs by reducing hospital stays, and prescheduled C-sections not only increase hospital efficiency but are also covered by insurance as a medical procedure. (Sources of information: Kelvin L. Seifert et al., Lifespan Development, 2nd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2000, p. 101; Sora Song, "Too Posh to Push?" Time, April 19, 2004, pp. 58, 60.)

Over the past few decades, the number of C-sections has increased for several reasons.

c.

For many reasons, mothers prefer having a C-section to having a baby by natural childbirth.

d.

Having a C-section is much better than natural childbirth.

4.

1More and more women who hold graduate or professional degrees are deciding to leave work to become stay-at-home moms. 2In fact, 22 percent of them are now home with the kids instead of at the office, and the overall number of working, married mothers with a child less than one year old has been steadily declining. 3Many people praise these women for putting their children before paychecks and prestige. 4However, others point out that women who decide to become stay-at-home moms may underestimate the sense of pride and meaning they got from their work. 5Even if the family can handle the mother's loss of income, sometimes it cannot handle her loss of identity.
6Some also claim that stay-at-home moms put themselves at risk when they lose all of those years in the workforce. 7If they get a divorce later, they will lack the experience they might need to revive their careers and earn a living. 8And when stay-at-home moms decide to return to the workplaceusually when the kids are old enough to go to schoolthey may find that younger, talented women have taken their places. 9Clearly, choosing to stay home with the kids has some risks. (Source of information: Claudia Wallis, "The Case for Staying Home," Time, March 22, 2004.)

Paraphrase:

a.

Becoming a stay-at-home mom has some drawbacks.

b.

Being a good mother is more important than being a successful professional.

c.

Women are leaving the workforce for a number of reasons.

d.

Having a stay-at-home parent benefits children.

5.

1Do you want to live to be 80, 90, or even 100 years old? 2Research shows that long life does run in families, so having good genes helps. 3However, other studies indicate that your lifestyle, too, plays a major role in keeping your mind and body healthy for eight, nine, or even ten decades. 4If you want to live a long life, you should exercise regularly and trim down if you're overweight. 5Extra pounds and lack of physical activity contribute to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases; thus, getting in shape will increase your chances of living longer. 6You should also eat a healthy diet. 7In particular, consuming ten servings of fruits and vegetables every day will help prevent disease and age-related damage to cells. 8You should find ways to reduce stress, too. 9According to scientists, adding stress relievers to your daily routine will help prevent chronic diseases that can shorten your life. 10Mentally, you should adopt a positive attitude; research shows that people who live for 100 years are usually optimistic and have good skills for coping with life's setbacks. 11You should also keep learning new skills and information, for doing so will build new brain cells and keep you mentally alert as you age. (Source of information: Kathleen Fackelmann, "The Secrets to Longevity," USA Today, February 23, 2004, p. 6D.)

Paraphrase:

a.

Most people can count on living to be 80, 90, or 100 years old.

b.

The genes that determine length of life are passed down through families.

c.

If you want to live a long time, you must diet and exercise.

d.

If you want to live to be 80, 90, or even 100, you should adopt a lifestyle that increases your chances.